“Dr Celucien Joseph Reads the Poem ‘Haitian Hymn’ (1804) to commemorate the Battle of Vertières”

“In this video, Dr. Celucien L. Joseph reads the poem “Hymne haytienne”/ “Haitian Hymn,” that was written in 1804 for and sung to Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haiti’s founding father. We do not know the poet who wrote it. The poem also celebrates the great battle of Vertières that occurred on November 18, 1803 and the success of the Haitian Revolution (1791-1803). It is a poetic song against slavery and human domination, and the triumph of human freedom and political independence of Haiti.

Following the poetry reading, Dr. Joseph shares his thought about the significance of Vertières.”